Wednesday, October 29, 2008

And then there were three

I'm sorry I've kept you in suspense for so long. You may have guessed by my internet silence the past three days that we have been occupied with our little boy. We visited the orphanage on Monday and again on Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon we went back for another visit while Karin and her mom went for their G&R. While we were chatting with the nannies (the kids were napping), the phone rang with the news that the officials had decided to do our G&R that afternoon after all! The van was coming to get us immediately. One nanny plucked Alex out of his crib and plunked him into the bath while other nannies rushed around gathering diapers and formula to send with us. When the van returned Hung and I changed clothes in a storage closet and off we went. The G&R itself was less ceremonial than I had imagined. I must have seen photos from G&Rs in other provinces or in China that took place in a ceremonial hall with a big banner. Ours was in a conference room around an oval table with the officials on one side and us on the other side of the table. We signed a bunch of papers, they presented us with his original birth certificate and all of his medical records, and then they handed us our child. Oh, and there was a moment for us to say a few words to thank the officials and tell how we plan to raise the child. Trang encouraged Hung to give his speech in Vietnamese. He was reluctant and thought his didn't know the right words in Vietnamese. She said he should talk like he was talking to his mother. He did it and the officials were really touched.
Alex seems like a well adjusted kid. He gradually warmed up to us during our visits in the orphanage. He liked to keep moving around the room delivering toys from here to there and occasionally checking in with his nanny for a hug. Since we've had him with us he's been thoroughly grief-stricken. He cries a lot and wants to be held constantly. This is a good sign. It means that he was well-attached to his nanny and is capable of becoming well-attached to us. But the poor boy is very sad right now.

I have so many stories to tell about our visits in the orphanage and our time with Alex since the G&R, but I'm tired and need to rest. I'll at least leave you with a few photos. Two are from our orphanage visit on Monday afternoon and one is of the official hand-off at the G&R.

12 comments:

  1. Oh! He's beautiful you guys! Congratulations!

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  2. Congratulations, Doan family! Alex is adorable!

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  3. Congratulations to new parents! He is very cute! Wishing you all the best with your new family member,

    The cousins from Finland,

    Merja & Sakari,
    Jenni, Ari & Urho

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  4. I am so happy that you were able to get the g&r on Tuesday! What a super surprise!

    I hope that you are enjoying your time at the beach and that Alex finds some peace in your arms.

    Kim and Bill
    Isaac and Wyatt

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  5. Congratulations!

    We are so happy to read about your trip and that the G&R was moved up. Give Alex a few days and the sorrow will begin to recede.

    Enjoy the rest of your stay in Vietnam. There are beautiful things around every corner.

    JCG
    Mom to Louis (bio-7) and Thành Minh (born Bên Tre 08/10/05, referral 10/31/06, G&R 07/17/07, home 08/05/07)

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  6. Oh am I sobbing the happiest tears right now! NO exaggeration! I am SOOO thrilled for you all three of you. It brings me back to being handed Bing in the conference room in China. What an exciting and tiring time for you now. You all are in my happy thoughts and my prayers.

    With love and hugs,
    Jodi

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  7. What a good-looking grandson!!!!
    Mom has been all weepy since we heard the news earlier today. Our first effort to access W-Fi in Siren failed, but we found a good spot at the Chattering Squirrel & have been hugging each other since we saw the pictures...

    Congratulations to all three of you! Now enjoy the rest of the trip; we'll see you at the airport. Meanwhile we plan to celebrate a little. Siren may run out of champagne by the time we are done...!

    Hugs and kisses,

    Dad & Mom (somewhere in the Wisconsin woods)

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  8. Further to the previous...

    The signature turned out to be out-dated, let's try it again:

    Hugs and kisses,

    Grandpa and Grandma (somewhere in the Wisconsin woods)

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  9. What wonderful news. I'm very excited for the three of you. He's a beautiful baby. I love the G&R picture - you looking at Alex, Alex looking at Hung, and everyone is smiling big. We look forward to your home coming. Hugs and kisses, Tricia

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  10. Oh, Siiri! I am so happy for all three of you! How wonderful. Welcome, Alex. Onneksi olkoon! Much love from all of us - Amanda Witman and Sean Donohue

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  11. Siiri and Hung - I'm so happy for all three of you! Alex is a very cute little boy. Love, Bonnie

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  12. Super cute!!! What adorable big, round eyes. Are you enjoying having sore arms and changing diapers? Welcome to the world of parenthood! Thanks for sharing this beautiful moment with all of us. The suspense was killing me all week last week in Orlando, since I didn't have any internet access (we just got home today). I got daily reports from Di Thu via Mom. I can't wait to meet my new little nephew. So glad you are enjoying the homeland and the family!

    -Co^ Ut'

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